In a world more globally connected than ever before, leaders need to be well-prepared with the right knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors to be successful. Asia Society Texas' Young Leaders Institute (YLI) is a week-long summer program for high school students that promotes global competence, elevates leadership skills, and connects students from across diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Since launching in 2016, the Young Leaders Institute has provided new perspectives and strengthened skills for nearly 400 students. The Institute's seventh year returns to fully in-person sessions, while students are invited to explore some of the most timely, relevant global issues for young leaders today.

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What skills will students learn from the Young Leaders Institute?

During the Institute, students will engage in the four tenets of global competence, as defined by the Asia Society Center for Global Education: investigating the world, recognizing perspectives, communicating ideas, and taking action.

Throughout the week, students will deepen their knowledge of the global policy issues of the day, then work in teams to research and develop solutions for challenges facing the world. In their groups, students will practice their communication and collaboration skills, strengthen their written and oral presentation skills, and engage respectfully and thoughtfully with peers to expand their views and understanding of the world.

In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn new approaches to leadership and practice the different skills demanded of leaders — not only taking initiative, but collaborating, practicing empathy, and overcoming differences.

Students in the Energy and Sustainability session will enjoy a rare and unique opportunity to visit the BP campus in the Energy Corridor,  where they will hear directly from employees from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and expertise; tour the trading floor and other sites of note; and learn more about BP’s work in the energy industry around sustainability.

What activities should students expect during the Institute?

During the Institute, students will hear lectures from experts in the field, engage in team-building or leadership activities, and work in groups to research, debate, and present policy solutions for challenges facing the world. While students will be provided time to work during the session, some work outside of Institute hours will be expected.

On the Institute's final day, student groups will present their policy recommendations developed from all they have learned throughout the week before a panel of impartial judges. A top group will be selected and honored for their policy presentation. Students will be mentored throughout the week by Asia Society Texas staff, receiving feedback and guidance on topics, teamwork, and presentation skills.

Session 1: Energy and Sustainability

Schedule: Monday, June 20 – Friday, June 24, 2022・8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Daily
Location: Asia Society Texas Center: 1370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, TX 77004

Students accepted for this session will receive an email and informational packet approximately one week before the start date.

What topics might be discussed during the Energy and Sustainability session?

• Climate change and development of renewable energy
• The transition of the energy industry away from fossil fuels and natural gas
• Development of green technology, including challenges and obstacles
• The role of government policy and international agreements
• The role of activists and private business
• Economic and energy security
• Environmental justice and equity in climate policies both within the U.S. and around the globe
• The Texas freeze and electric grid
• Houston's green energy initiatives

About the Speakers

Yaneth Ramirez Calderon is the Climate Equity Coordinator at the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability. Yaneth is responsible for advancing the city’s equity goals through equitable implementation of Resilient Houston and Houston Climate Action Plan.  As a daughter of immigrants, Ms. Calderon is an advocate for holistic community resilience and climate action in underrepresented communities, especially those with limited English proficiency. Before joining the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Resilience & Sustainability, Ms. Calderon began her career in emergency management as a public information officer. Ms. Calderon is a proud University of Houston Cougar where she obtained her Master of Public Administration with a focus in emergency management degree. She obtained her undergraduate degree at St. Mary’s University of San Antonio in 2014.

Uday Turaga is Founder & CEO of ADI Analytics, a consulting and research firm based in Houston, Texas, and specializing in oil and gas, energy, chemicals, and industrials. With 20+ years of experience at ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Booz, and ADI, Mr. Turaga is an expert in oil and gas, energy transition, and chemicals.  He has led ADI Analytics since 2009 through 500 projects for 200 clients including ExxonMobil, Shell, Aramco, BASF, GE, KKR, and U.S. Department of Energy. He has a Ph.D. in fuel science from Penn State and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Turaga has published over 100 papers, holds two U.S. patents, and has won awards from U.S. National Academy of Engineering, American Chemical Society, and Penn State. Finally, he has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, and Bloomberg.

Jason Ethier is an energy entrepreneur, marketer, and general manager who has started, financed, and played leadership roles in three ventures alongside working with founders across the New England and Texas innovation ecosystems. Mr. Ethier specializes in working with early-stage founders and launching product. He currently serves as the Operations lead for Greentown Labs Houston where he leads member recruiting, member experience, and building operations. Prior to Greentown Labs, Jason founded a company called Dynamo Micropower where he developed a proprietary microturbine technology that helped collect and utilize natural gas from drilling operations which would otherwise have been flared directly into the environment while also improving energy efficiency of these operations. Given the ongoing struggles of the oil & gas services industry, after eight years and raising $6M he opted to wind down the company and seek a new venture to employ his time, energy, and talent. Mr. Ethier holds a BSE from Duke University where he was Chief Engineer for his Collegiate Motorsports Team. He was also a founder of the TJ3Sat project. 

Testimonials

“Yes, [I would recommend YLI]! This was very informative and I’m sure that my friends would enjoy it! I also loved being treated like a policy maker, as I am very interested in these issues. The feedback was good and I will definitely be using the info and strategies that I learned from this session in my every day.” — 2021 U.S.–China Relations student

“The most important thing I learned this week was learning to not only listen to others, but also to learn how to combine key skills like research, teamwork, policy, and presentation (as demonstrated by many of the speakers who spoke to us this week). I also learned the importance of being thoughtful towards others.” — 2021 Public Health student

“I would recommend the Young Leaders Institute to my peers because this week long camp gave such a great insight into worldwide issues as well as key leadership qualities that can be developed by collaborating with your group members!” — 2021 Public Health student

“A good leader is open minded, considerate, and enthusiastic. After attending YLI, I will become more positive. A positive attitude is contagious and will encourage other people to be more open to each other’s ideas.” — 2021 Social Justice and Civic Engagement student

Additional Sessions

Session 2: International Security and Defense
Monday, July 11 – Friday, July 15, 2022・8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Daily
Examine the challenging dynamics of international military strategy and national defense in the Asia Pacific region, including navigating the sovereignty issues of the South China Sea, U.S. relationships with East and Southeast Asian allies, and the nuclear threat of North Korea.

Session 3: Global Education
Monday, July 25 – Friday, July 29, 2022・8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Daily
Learn more about the U.N. sustainable development goal around ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education around the globe, and what that means in Asia Pacific countries, in the U.S., and for girls — along with the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Young Leaders Institute is presented by BP America. Education and Outreach programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by Wells Fargo. Generous funding also provided by​ Cathay Bank Foundation and the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation. Additional support is provided by Friends of Asia Society Texas Center, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing the best in exhibitions and public programming to Houston.

Presenting Sponsor

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.